-First tracks on Elk pass-
After skiing at Ribbon creek, I decided to drive to PLPP because I had an inkling that today would be the day that a winning date for Guess the Date Contest would be determined, and I wanted to see with my own eyes if Elk pass was trackset.
The snowcat on Elk pass
It was almost dark when I arrived at Elk pass trailhead and I could see that it had been groomed today, but still no tracks. I saw the flatbed in the parking lot(two of them actually, one was for snowmobiles which were grooming Boulton creek, Fox creek and Moraine), so I knew Jody was still out there. I put on my skis and headed up the hill(which reminds me I better check the batteries in my headlamp).
James(blue coat) was receiving some assistance from Phil in hitching up the Ginzu as he prepared to trackset Boulton creek
At .5K I could see that Boulton creek had been groomed. I continued on and as I crested the hill, I could see the lights of the snowcat. Jody was making his final grooming pass, and at the bottom of the hill, he would turn around and start setting track which is the photo at the top.
Pocaterra and most of the north end trails in PLPP are trackset
It was fun skiing down the big hill in the semi-darkness. With such excellent snow and corduroy, I had nothing to worry about. I saw lights ahead. Two snowmobiles. James was getting ready to set track on Boulton creek. Phil had also been packing the trails with his sled. Who will be the first to ski the new Boulton creek trail on the new tracksetting?
Thank you to Stoney Nakoda Resort for supplying the prizes for the contest
All the trails which were groomed yesterday in PLPP were actually trackset. The Live Grooming Report has some glitches and only shows them as groomed.
While skiing tomorrow I’m going to ask an independent third party to make the draw for the winners of the “Guess the Date” contest. We have 16 correct guesses. Thank you to all 99 people who entered. I didn’t expect Elk pass to be trackset this soon, and that’s why the original end date of the contest was Nov 20. I think we’re all happy that the contest is over because of early snow!
